Velcro or lace-up boxing gloves?
Velcro for training (on and off by yourself), laces for competition and the tightest wrist support; most fighters choose velcro.
For training you almost always choose velcro: you put the gloves on and take them off by yourself and switch quickly between drills. Laces give a tighter and more even wrist closure, but you need someone to tie them, which is why they're mainly used in competition and by professionals on the pads.
Velcro: the practical standard
The vast majority of training gloves have a velcro closure. A wide strap wraps around your wrist and secures the cuff. You pull it tight with your other (gloved) hand or your teeth and you're ready within ten seconds. Need to fix your wraps, drink some water or move from bag to pads in between? Done in no time.
The quality of the velcro varies by brand. Good gloves like the Twins BGVL3 and the Booster BGL have a wide, sturdy strap with an elastic section that gives when you bend your wrist. Cheap gloves often have a narrow strap that quickly fills with fluff and then comes loose. Also make sure the hard side of the velcro doesn't stick out: during sparring it scrapes across your partner's skin.
Laces: maximum wrist support
Lace-up gloves close along the entire length of the cuff, from the wrist to the forearm. That lets you tighten the glove evenly, so the wrist sits in a kind of sleeve. That's why competition gloves almost always have laces and why pro boxers also train on the pads with laces.
The downside is obvious: you can't tie them yourself. You need a trainer or training partner, and afterwards you have to wait again. On top of that, the knots have to be taped over to stop them ending up in your opponent's face. For a group class or a solo bag session that's impractical. In our shop you'll find lace-up gloves mainly in the competition ranges.
How much difference does the wrist support really make?
With a properly adjusted velcro glove and decent hand wraps, the difference in wrist support is small for most fighters. The wraps do most of the work; the glove locks everything in place. Only with very hard punches or a wrist that has been injured before will you notice that laces are just that bit more stable.
Brands respond to this with longer velcro cuffs and double straps. Booster and King Pro Boxing have models with an extra-long cuff that come pretty close to the feel of laces. If you want the support of laces without the hassle, look at a model like that and wrap a slightly longer hand wrap. You'll get very close to the competition feel.
Hybrid closures
Some gloves combine laces with a velcro flap that folds over the knot. You get the even closure of laces and don't need to use tape. Another variant is the quick-lace closure, where you pull a loop tight and lock it. Both are mainly found on training gloves for advanced fighters.
These hybrid models are worth considering if you do a lot of sparring rounds and want the wrist support of laces, but train in a group class where nobody has time to help you. They're less common than regular velcro and a bit pricier. For most recreational kickboxers and boxers, a good velcro glove remains the best choice.
What to choose in which situation?
- Group classes, bag work, pad work: velcro.
- Sparring at the gym: velcro, with a long cuff if you want extra support.
- Competition: laces, often even mandatory under federation rules.
- Pad work with a trainer who can help you: laces are an option, but velcro is at least as good.
- Children: always velcro, so they can put them on and take them off themselves.
Still not sure? Then the answer is velcro. In practice you lose nothing and gain a lot of convenience. If you start competing later on, you buy a pair of lace-up competition gloves at that point.
| Feature | Velcro | Laces |
|---|---|---|
| On and off by yourself | Yes | No, help needed |
| Wrist support | Good | Maximum |
| Quick to switch | Yes | No |
| Tape needed | No | Yes, over the knot |
| Use | Training, sparring | Competition, pads with a trainer |
| Closure wear | Velcro wears out | Laces hardly wear |
Ordering from anywhere in the EU
PadsByBilly ships from the Netherlands to every EU country: Belgium €7.95, Germany €9.95, other EU countries €14.95, free from €75. No customs or import fees inside the EU; prices include VAT. Delivery usually takes 2–5 working days and you have a 14-day right of withdrawal.
Running a gym or fight school and need boxing gloves for the whole team? From €500 order value we make a custom quote with a bigger discount.
Frequently asked questions
Are lace-up gloves better?
They close tighter and more evenly, but for training the convenience of velcro outweighs that. With good hand wraps the difference is small.
Can I spar with lace-up gloves?
Yes, provided the knot is taped over. Most gyms prefer velcro because you can switch faster.
How long does velcro last?
With a good brand, years. Keep the strap free of fluff and close the glove after it has dried, and it will keep sticking.
Can I tie laces myself with my teeth?
That rarely works well and the knot won't be tight. Have someone do it for you or choose velcro.
Do Twins gloves have laces or velcro?
Both. The V in BGVL stands for velcro; the BGLL series has laces.
